Album Review: Soilwork - The Living Infinite

Although its legacy still looms over their catalogue like a phoenix, metallers Soilwork have finally accepted 2002 masterclass Natural Born Chaos' place within their history. The Swedes were left reeling trying to out-do the landmark work, subsequently spending several albums retracing the same formula. The outcome was a law of diminishing returns.

The Panic Broadcast three years ago was a revelation; they were hungry again, and tweaked matters to sidestep creative redundancy. A double-album is risky, though, given Soilwork only recently rediscovered their mojo. On their ninth LP, however, they've lifted their game, perhaps due to having an additional point to prove following founding guitarist/key songwriter/producer Peter Wichers' latest departure. This creates a record far more cohesive and consistent than most could have realistically anticipated. Variety isn't an issue; it's maintaining an inspired level of polished, groove-driven songwriting that is. Nine times out of ten they offer gorgeous ear candy. The 'melodic death' tag doesn't properly define Soilwork anymore (still, check out Leech or blast-beat-fuelled thrasher Spectrum of Eternity), forging 85 minutes of hook-laden aggression expanding their horizons (proggy Antidotes in Passing; plodding, Devin Townsend-infused farewell Owls Predict, Oracles Stand Guard) without straying too far. Said approach is at its most sublime throughout Vesta's glistening melodies, or the two-part title track. Vocalist Bjorn 'Speed' Strid is in typically soaring form on catchy-as-flu Tongue; conversely, multi-faceted Long Live the Misanthrope takes several spins to absorb.

It's a no-brainer to suggest this could have been streamlined into an absolute belter of a single disc, saving some gems for later. That they didn't do so reflects the infinite possibilities they see going forward.